Isaiah Jackson, who enjoyed successful stints at West Virginia State, Sioux Falls and the International Federation of American Football, joined the UC Davis football staff as a linebackers coach in 2017. In 2024 he took a new role as special teams coordinator.
During his first season with the Aggies, Coach Jackson led a unit responsible for helping the team win five games against Division I competition, matching the combined total from the previous three years. That set the stage for a historic 2018 season, one that saw football win its inaugural Big Sky Conference championship, and earn its first FCS playoff appearance in program history.Â
Jackson previously served five seasons on the WVSU football staff, working with linebackers (2015-16), special teams (2012-16) and the defensive line (2012-15). Overall, six athletes under his tutelage garnered All-Mountain East Conference distinction, including Dennis Gardeck, who also captured HERO Sports Super Region I Defensive Player of the Year honors.
His work with the Yellowjackets followed a four-year stay at the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. Jackson began his career as a graduate assistant linebackers coach, then worked with the D-line in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Cougars captured the NAIA championship in 2010, with Jackson protege Eric Anderson earning Defensive Player of the Game in that title contest. USF later transitioned to NCAA Division II, posting a 9-2 record in its first season. Jackson mentored four linebackers and a defensive lineman to All-Northern Sun Conference acclaim in his final two seasons.
Jackson made two stops with the IFAF, the second of which partnered him with Hawkins and Tucker. He guided the linebackers for the U.S. team, which defeated Japan for the 2015 gold medal game. Three of Jackson's players garnered IFAF All-Tournament nods.
Jackson graduated from South Dakota State with a degree in education in 2010. He added a master's in education administration from Sioux Falls while serving on the Cougars' staff. Jackson and his wife have one young son, Wenly Isaiah.
